Water-tube boiler



C. E. CHAPMAN WATER TUBE BOILER .l

Filed July 2,

AJuly 14, 1925( 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 14, 1925.

c. E. CHAPMAN WATER TUBE BoILER Filed Jlu'hlyl 2, 1921 2 sheexs-shex .2

Patented July 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

CHARLES E. CHAQPMAN, OF FORT EDWARD, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0JOSEPHVGOODFELLOW,-OF FORT EDWARD, NEW YORK.

WATER-TUBE IBOILER.

Application led July 2,

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. CHAP- MAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Fort Edward, in the county of Washington and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements' inWater-Tube Boilers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in water tube boilers. f

AThe disadvantages attending the use of water tube boilers of thevarious types employing steam drums, boiler sheets, and other similarparts requiring rivets, are Well recognized. Such boilers are 'incapableof withstanding high steam pressure particularly after they have been inuse for any considerable period or time and are therefore liable toexplode. Also such boilers are extremely dicult to clean if they becomeincrusted with scale, and they are equally diicult to repair if theybecome damaged, due chie'ly to the fact that their parts cannot beconveniently disassembled, it being frequently necessary, in some typesof such boilers, to dismantle practically the entire boiler in order toeHecty comparatively minor repairs. In consideration of the foregoing itis one of the objects of the present invention to provide a water tubeboiler of such construction that the usual steam drums and boiler sheetsare entirely eliminated and replaced by headers of a novel constructionandcapable of withstanding exceptionally high pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means forconnecting the water tubes of the boiler with the headers so that in theevent any one of the water tubes becomes damaged or bursts, repairs maybe eli'ected without materially dlsturbing the connections of othertubes with the headers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connection between thewater tubes and headers of such construction as to withstandexceptionally high pressure, the invention contemplating also theprovision, in connection with the means provided for uniting the watertubes to the headers, of clean-out plugs normally held in place withsuliicient security to withstand the high pressure generated within theboiler` and yet capable of being readily removed when 1t becomesnecessary to remove scale from the 1921. Serial No. 482,019.

boiler, provision thus being made for cleaning of the boiler moreconveniently and expeditiously than is possible in t-he usualconstructions of boilers of this type.

Various other objects and advantages will be made apparent as thedescription of the invention proceeds.

In the accompanyin drawings:

Figure. 1 is a vertica transverse sectional view through a boilerconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

v Figure 2 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on theline 3--3 of Fig- `ure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of' a portion of one of the headers.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view illustrating one of the upper headerconnections; Figure 6 is a similar view illustrating one of the lowerheader connections.

The boiler and its lire box are enclosed within side walls 1, a rearwall 2, and a front wall 3 which walls may be of any constructiondesired, and these walls surround and project above the plane of a topwall which is indicated in general by the numeral 4. Opposite each sidewall 1, the furnace has built within its interior a baille wallindicated in general by the numeral 5 and comprising a lower section 6which is 'inclined upwardly and inwardly from a point adjaoentthe bottomof the respective side wall 1, and an upper section 7 which is inclinedupwardly and outwardly from the top of the section 6 to the plane of thetop et and to a point adjacent the respective side wall 1. The lines ofjuncture of the sections 6 and 7 of the two batlie walls 5 are locatedhorizontally opposite each other and in suitably spaced relation toaccommodate the banks of water tubes at their crossing intermediateportions as will be evident by reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.The space between the baile walls 5 and the respective side walls 1constitutes a dead air space, and in order that the sections 7 of thesewalls may be aiorded ample'supl port, hollow bolsters 8 are arrangedwithin the upper portions of the air spaces and each preferablycomprises a bottom wall 9 secured at its outer edge to the respectiveWall 1 and extending horizontally across the aii` space to the junctureof the sections i 6 and 7 of the'respective baile wall; an

upwardly and outwardly inclined wall which extends upwardly from theinner edge of the wall 9 and affords a direct support for the brickscomprising the section 7 of the respective batile wall; and, a top wall11 which extends horizontally outwardly from the upper edge of the wall10 and is secured to the respective wall 1. The wall 11 of each bolsterconstitutes a portion of the top wall 4 heretofore referred to as willbe apparent by reference to Figure 1. A portion of the top wall 4indicated by the numeral 12 is built up of fire brick and constitutes ineffect an inward horizontal extension from the upper edgesY of thesections 7 of the baille walls 5. The bafile lwalls 5, rear wall 2 andfront wall 3 define the fire box of the boiler, and the products ofcombustion 'are conducted from the fire` box through a stack 13 whichopens at its lower end through the section 12 of the top wall 4. Thenumeral 14 indicates protective walls preferably of fire brick whichextend horizontally inwardly from the lower edge of the section 6 ofeach baille wall 5 and which, as also the sections 12 of the top 4,serve a purpose to be presently explained.

By reference to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be evident that as thefront, rear and side walls of the boilerproject above the top wall 4, anenclosed space is provided above this wall from which the flames areexcluded, and similarly an enclosed space is provided beneath theprotective walls 14 and the foundation upon which the boiler isconstructed. The spaces above referred to are indicated respectively bythe numerals 15 and 16 and constitute header spaces to house and protectfrom the llames the headers with which thewater tubes of the boiler areconnectedl as will -presently be pointed out. In order that access maybe had to the spaces 15, each of these spaces is closed at its top by adoor 17 preferably hinged at one side as at 18. Doors 17 are provided inthe walls of the boiler at the bottom thereof so that access may be hadto the lower header spaces 16.

The water tubes of the boiler are indicated by the numeral 19 and aswill be evident by reference to Figures 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, thesetubes are arranged in two banks disposed in the crossed relationillustrated in Figure 1 and inclined at angles cor responding to theangles of inclination of the sections 6 and 7 of the baiiie walls 5. Thewater tubes of `the two banks are arranged in staggered relation asshown in Figure 2 and each bank of tubes comprises a plurality of rowsarranged inyparallel relation, the tubes .of thetwo banks crossing inthe space between the juncture of the sections 6 and 7 of the two baiiiewalls 5. ByY reference to Figure. 1 of the drawings it will be observedthat the lower portions of the banks of" tubes lie beneath the lowersections 6 of the respective baffle walls 5, and that the upper portionsof the banks'of tubes are inclined above the upper sections 7 of thebaiiie walls, the tubes of the two banks at their upper portionsextending upwardly through the respective sections 12 of the top wall 4and at their lower portions extending through the protective wallsections 14 as shown in the said Figure 1.

The upper ends of the water tubes of each row of each bank are placed incommunication with a header located within the respective header space15, and lower ends of the tubes of each row are placedin communicationwith a header in the respective header space 16, the upper headers beingindicated in general by the numeral 20 and the lower headers by thenumeral 21. Inasmuch as the headers are all of identical construction, adescription of one will suffice for all. Each lieader is provided with alongitudinally extending `passage way 22 and is forme-d at intervals inits side which is to be placed in communication with the associatedwater tubes, with tapered openings 23 communicating with the passage way22. Each water tube at each end is provided with a circumscribing collar24 preferably welded thereto, and beyond the collar the tube isexteriorly tapered as indicated by the numeral 25 adapting it to fitsnugly in a wedging manner within the opening 23 in which it is to bereceived. At points suitably spaced from and at opposite sides of eachopening 23, the header is provided with l a plurality of openings 26through which are passed bolt rods 27 each threaded at one end into thecollar 24 of the respective wat-er tube 19. Nuts 28 are threaded ontothe other end portions of the bolt rods 27 and when these nuts aretightened to bind against the side of the header remote from p the sideinto which the end 25 of the `tube is fitted, the said end of the tubewill be drawn tightly into the respective opening 23 and wedged thereinin such a manner as to not only provide a steam-tight union but also towithstand a maximum degree of pressure.

Each header 20 is yformed opposite each of the openings 23 with atapered opening 29 communicating withthe passage way 22, and a taperedplug. 30 is fitted into this opening 29 as best shown in Figure 3 of thedrawings and is provided at its outer end with a head 31 through whichthe outer ends of the bolt rods 27 project, nuts 32 being threaded uponthe said ends of the rods and being adapted to be tightened so as toforce'the plug 30 int-o the opening 29 and thus normally plug or sealthis opening in a steam-tight manner. It will be evident that in orderto clean any of the water tubes it is only necessary to remove the plugslocated opposite the ends thereof which may be done by removing the nuts32 and without in any way disturbing the connection of the water tubewith the headers.' Also it will be evident that access may be had to theheaders for the purpose of adjusting the connections of the water tubesand plugs 30 therewith by opening the doors 1 7 and through the openingclosed by the doors 17.

Regarding the construction illustrated particularly in Figure 3 of thedrawings whereby the water tubes and plugs are connected and held to theheaders, the fact will be appreciated that the push joint connectionwhich is employed for this purpose constitutes a highly eiicient meansfor uniting the tube ends to the headers and for holding the plugs 30 inplace, the union eected being ofsuch a nature as to withstand enormouspressure and being entirely free from any possibility of leakage.

The numeral 33 indicates the fire box door at the front 'of the furnaceand b v reference to Figure 1 it will-be observed that the headers 21 atthe lower ends of the water tubes of the two banks are located atopposite sides of the grate of the lire box, the headers of each bankbeing placed in communication with one another at their front and rearends through the medium of trunks 34 each provided at intervals in itslengths with tapered nipples 35 seated in the tapered ends 36 of thepassage ways 22 of the headers as best shown in Figure 6,

bolts 37 being passed through flanges 38 and 39 which respectivelysurround the ends of the headers 21 and the nipples 35 and being adaptedto be tightened so as to draw the nipples with a wedging engagement intothe said tapered ends of the passage ways 22 of the headers. .By similarpush joint connection indicated by the numeral 40, a plug 41 is fittedinto and closes the outer end of one of the trunks 34 at the front andrear of the boiler, and a water supply pipe 42 is connected by a similarpush joint connection 43 with the outer end of the other trunk 34, therelatively adjacent ends of the trunks being placed in communicationwith each other throughthe medium of a pipe 44 interposed between thesame and connected thereto by .push joint connections 45. This pipe 44will extend between the fire box and ash pit doors of the boiler asshown in Figure 1 of the drawings, both at the front and rear of theboiler in the event the boiler is to be fired from both the the twoltrunks 34 illustrated in the said ligure.

The ends of the passage ways 22 of the upper headers 2O are tapered asat 46 in the same manner as the ends 36 of the said passage ways in thecase of the lower headers 21, and elbows 47 are provided with ta ered'suitable intervals in the upper sides of trunks 52 and are drawn intoplace by push joint connections 53. The trunks 52 extend across thefront and rear of the boiler and each is in communication with theadjacent ends of all of the headers 20 at the respective side of theboiler. One end of each trunk 52 is closed by a plug 54 wedged in placeby a push joint connection 55, and by a similar connection 56 steamoutlet pipes 57 are placed in communication with the opposite ends ofthe two trunks and serve to conduct steam from the boiler.

The numeral 58 indicates a pipe which is tapped at its lower end intoone of the trunks 34 at the front of the boiler and at its upper endintoythe trunk 52 at the front of the boiler, and interposed in thispipe is a water gage 59 and a steam pressure gage-60.

In the operation of the boiler water is admitted through the supply pipe42 and circulating through the lower. trunks 34 and headers 21, rises inthe water tubes 19 approximately to the level indicated in Figure 1 ofthe drawings and which may be determined by inspection of the water gage59. The flames from the fuel in the re box will impinge directly againstthe lower portions of the water tubes, being directed by the lowersections of the balile walls 5, and the heated products of' combustionwill also impinge against the upper portions of the water tubes abovethe water level before passing out through the stack 13. Therefore bythis arrangement each of the Water tubes constitutes in effect anindividual boiler, and the upper portion of the tube above the waterlevel constitutes a space in which the generated steam is heated to ahigher temperature before being discharged into the upper headers 20.vHowever the baille or protective walls 12 and 14 serve to prevent directcontact of the flames and heated products of combustion with the boltrods 27 and associated parts so that. there is no likelihood ofdeterioration of the connections establishing communication between thewater 'tubes and headers. It will be evident that due-to the inclinationof the' water tubes, they are more efectually subjected tothe heat fromthe fire box than would be the case if they were vertically disposed.

lit will be evident that by reason of the vtapered joint between thewater tubes and headers, a much larger contactmarea is provided at thepoint of union ythan in the ordinary construction. lt will alsobe'evident that. after the water` tube ends have been fitted into theopenings in the headers, the steam pressure within the tubes will tendto bring about a still more intimate contact between the tapered ends ofthe tubes and the walls of the tapered openings in which they arereceived thus automatically sealing the connections.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as'new is:

rIn a water tube boiler, a fire box, the said fire box comprisin a back,a front, side walls, and a top, t e top having a sunken ortion at itsintermediate part, a iiue leadlng upwardly from the sunken portion andcommunicating with the fire box, upper partition walls extending betweenthe side walls of the fire box and the sunken portion of the top andproviding air s aces at the opposite sidesv of the iiue, ba e wallsextending between the front and back of the o fire box and inclineddownwardly toward each other, other bae walls inclined downto wardlyother from the lower edges of the first mentioned baiiie walls andextending likewise between the front and back of the tire box, lowerpartition walls extendin above the bottom of the tire box and etween thelower portions of the last mentioned baiiie walls and providing beneaththem an air space, banks of water tubes arranged 'in crossed relationwith their lower portions extending parallel to the under sides of therespectiveJ second mentioned bailie ,walls and having theiriupperportions extending parallel to the upper faces of the respective firstmentioned baiie walls, the upper ends of the tubes of each bankextendingthrough the upper partition wall and the lower ends extendlngthrough the lower partition wall, headers connecting the upper ends ofthe series, of tubes comprising each bank and located within the firstmentioned air and outwardly `away from each i spaces, headers connectingthe lower ends v

